Camera tracking system

ABSTRACT

The Camera Tracking System operation is the operator sets the camera up and attaches the signal module to the person or object that is to be filmed. The operator will use the control device or module (smart Phone) to jog the camera until the person or object wearing the device is in full view of the camera. The operator will then push the initiation button. At that point the system is functioning and it will follow the person wearing the signal module everywhere no matter if the person is in full view or not.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The Camera Tracking System is a small camera using technology that exists but uses a tracking mechanism unique to the field.

(2) Description of the Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 & 1.98

The art described in the drawings of the design and utility function illustrate the unique ability of the Camera Tracking System. We found patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,638,375 Amor Molares et al. Jan. 28, 2014 that uses a similar approach but does not use our system to accomplish the tracking ability and uses a different process. We also found patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,644 Leis May 9, 2000 that determines the spatial position and orientation of a body but it does use our process or technology.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Camera Tracking System that can lock on to and follow a certain object dynamically without a person controlling every action. It can be used for sporting events and other commercial and consumer purposes. The camera acts as a base station, considering itself at 0-0. When the camera system has located the tracking device the operator will push a touch screen button on the smart phone initializing the coordinates of the tracking device in relation to the camera. Now the camera knows the location of the tracking device in reference to its position. The tracking device is a microchip system that will be rechargeable. Using blue tooth technology it will transmit the coordinate information of the tracking device to a wireless camera. Software will be written to convert these coordinate signals into motion control. This motion control will drive servo motors which will allow the camera to automatically follow the coordinates of the tracking device at all times. As the camera system is following the tracking device it signals the images to the camera as it is filming and will be transmitted to the smart phone. This will allow a person to watch the image on the camera in real time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

There are NO drawings in this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

There are NO drawings in this specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Camera Tracking System is a new concept having a small camera track a sensor device that is connected to a person playing a sporting event or for other commercial and consumer uses. 1. The system consists of three parts to make the system work. 1. A communications camera with a pan, tilt, and zoom capability. 2. A communications module, IE: (smart Phone) 3. A tracking module.

Ref: 1. The camera will act as a base station, considering itself at 0-0. The camera will be microcontroller based with a Bluetooth interface. When the camera system has connected with the tracking device, the operator will push a touch screen button on the smart phone initializing the coordinates of the tracking device in relation to the camera. Now the camera knows the location of the tracking device in reference to its position.

Ref: 2. The communications module is basically a smart phone design with the software written to operate the entire system. This allows for more freedom to move about while filming an event. It interfaces with the tracking module signals to the camera so it can be properly positioned for the camera.

Ref: 3. The tracking device will also be a microcontroller based system with Bluetooth and will operate from a rechargeable battery. Using the Bluetooth connection, it will transmit the coordinate information of the tracking device in relation to the wireless camera. Software will be written to convert these coordinate signals into motion control of the camera. This motion control will drive servo motors which will allow the camera to automatically follow the coordinates of the tracking device at all times. As the camera system is following the tracking device signals, the images the camera is receiving will be transmitted to the smart phone for display. This will allow a person to watch the image on the camera in real time. Signal strength will also be monitored as well as other status to set an alarm when tracking device is close to out-of-range. The tracking module is the heart and soul of this invention. GPS positioning in itself will not work alone because signal strength will vary in certain conditions. By using our tracking module using a micro coordinate chip, a GRS chip, and micro-processor with an energy cell along with other components we can create a positioning signal that the camera can follow. Even if the camera loses the actual image it will still have the ability to follow that person even at a high speed. The camera operation is the operator sets the camera up and attaches the signal module to the person or object that is to be filmed. The operator will use the control device or module (smart Phone) to jog the camera until the person or object wearing the device is in full view of the camera. The operator will then push the initiation button. At that point the system is functioning. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera system with a specific functionality comprising of: a camera that will act as a base station, considering itself at 0-0; a camera that will be microcontroller based with a Bluetooth interface; a camera that has connected with the tracking device that allows the operator to push a touch screen button on a smart phone initializing the coordinates of the tracking device in relation to the camera which allows the camera to position the location of the tracking device in reference to its position.
 2. A camera system with a communications module with a specific functionality comprising of: a communications module which such as a smart phone design with the software written to operate the entire system which allows the camera to move with more freedom while filming an event; a communications module that interfaces with the tracking module signals to the camera so it can be properly positioned for the camera.
 3. A camera system with a tracking device with a specific functionality comprising of: a tracking device that is a microcontroller based system with Bluetooth and will operate from a rechargeable battery; a Bluetooth connection that will transmit the coordinate information of the tracking device in relation to the wireless camera with software written and programmed to convert these coordinate signals into motion control of the camera; a motion control will drive servo motors which will allow the camera to automatically follow the coordinates of the tracking device at all times; a camera system that is following the tracking device signals and sending the images to the camera which is receiving the signals and the images will be transmitted to the smart phone for display; a camera system that will allow a person to watch the image on the camera in real time; a camera system that will monitor the signal strength to set an alarm when the tracking device is close to being out-of-range. 